{"id":9105,"date":"2025-07-01T03:03:49","date_gmt":"2025-07-01T01:03:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brokenmount.com\/bm\/2025\/07\/01\/what-gear-does-dpreview-staff-use-for-travel\/"},"modified":"2025-07-01T03:03:49","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T01:03:49","slug":"what-gear-does-dpreview-staff-use-for-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brokenmount.com\/bm\/2025\/07\/01\/what-gear-does-dpreview-staff-use-for-travel\/","title":{"rendered":"What gear does DPReview staff use for travel?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photo: Scott Ferguson<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Figuring out your perfect travel photography setup is quite the balancing act, and often a constantly evolving task. It requires finding a sweet spot between portability (large gear isn’t fun to lug around), versatility (travel can bring a wide range of photographic situations) and image quality. Here at DPReview, we are no strangers to travel, with all of us embarking on big trips fairly regularly for both work and vacation. That time spent traveling has allowed us to dial in our preferred cameras and lenses for trips. We’re opening up our bags, giving you a glimpse into what we gear nerds like to take along (when we have a choice).<\/p>\n

Dale Baskin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
\"Shirtless<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Fujifilm X100T | F3.2 | 1\/340 sec | ISO 400 | Salvador da Bahia, Brazil
Photo: Dale Baskin<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

While I always choose the right tool for a specific job, I\u2019ve learned to travel light when I don\u2019t have demanding photo requirements. It wasn\u2019t always that way.<\/p>\n

In the past, I often took too much gear, driven by FOMO: a fear of missing out on a once-in-a-lifetime shot. I\u2019d constantly worry about having the right lenses, a tripod, or accessories for every possible situation.<\/p>\n

At some point, I realized I was putting more effort into carrying photo gear than enjoying the travel itself. For my next international trip, I took a risk, carrying only my newly acquired Fujifilm X100T<\/a>. Were there times I wished for more or different gear? Absolutely. But I quickly stopped stressing about what I didn\u2019t<\/em> have and focused on getting creative with the camera in my hands. That creative challenge has become part of what I enjoy about travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\"Drummers<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fujifilm X100T | F2.0 | 1\/105 sec | ISO 3200 | Salvador da Bahia, Brazil
Photo: Dale Baskin<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

A decade later, the X100 series is still my go-to travel kit, though I now use an X100V<\/a>, and I\u2019ll often carry Fujifilm\u2019s 28mm equiv wide-angle adapter in case I want a wider perspective. Of course, if I\u2019m going to photograph birds or shoot a wedding, I take the right tools for the job. But for personal travel, it\u2019s usually just my X100V. Even then, I find myself reaching for my iPhone; for many personal memories and shareable moments, it\u2019s the best tool for the job.<\/p>\n

Richard Butler<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
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Sigma BF |Sigma 35mm F2 DG DN | F5.6 | 1\/500 sec | ISO 250 | Little Britain, London
Photo: Richard Butler<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Working for DPReview means I’m usually shooting sample images, even when I’m on vacation, so I don’t have much choice over which camera I’m shooting with. However, there are combinations of cameras and lenses that I find myself really enjoying, and that I try to recreate on my trips, where possible. And these combinations have evolved over time.<\/p>\n

A few years ago, I’d have opted for just a 35mm equiv prime and the smallest standard zoom I could lay my hands on, which typically meant the kit zoom for most systems. But I increasingly find I like to have an 85mm equiv prime with me, too, as I love having a good option for taking portraits when I see my friends and family. My two most recent trips saw me using a 24mm, 35mm, 90mm set of compact primes, and before that, a 24-80ish equiv F2.8 zoom, which fulfilled a similar role. There are pros and cons to both approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\"a<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Sigma BF |Sigma 24mm F3.5 DG DN | F8 | 1\/200 sec | ISO 100 | Twickenham, London
Photo: Richard Butler<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

But while I’ve learned this is the range I like to use, I’ve also found that size is the most important criterion when I travel. That 24-80 equiv was an APS-C lens, meaning it was still comparatively small and light. When I’ve tried to take a full-frame 24-70mm F2.8, I’ve come back with almost no photos: the camera having stayed in the hotel room. It’s the same story when I tried a three-prime set for medium format: I’ve got the photos from the occasions I specifically pushed myself to go out and shoot, but failed to capture any of the unexpected moments and incidental shots that would tell the real story of the experience.<\/p>\n

Mitchell Clark<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
\"four<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sony a7CR | Sony 16mm F1.8 G FE | F2.8 | 1\/60 sec | ISO 500 | Paris, France
Photo: Mitchell Clark<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Like Richard, my travel kit is generally dictated by what camera or lens I’m currently testing. However, if I’m reviewing a camera and get to choose a lens, I’ll typically go for a fast, relatively wide-angle one. Those let me easily capture the people I’m traveling with and whatever sweeping vista we’re in, and, in a pinch, can even be used for selfies.<\/p>\n

However, I can only get away with that choice because I also take my own personal camera on every trip I take. I’m talking, of course, about the iPhone 15 Pro, which I specifically chose because of its 3x telephoto camera. While I’d prefer one of Apple’s smaller, lighter and cheaper non-pro phones, the fact that their second camera is an ultrawide rather than a telephoto one is a dealbreaker for me; I’ve found a lot more situations where I can’t physically get closer to something than ones where I couldn’t back up a little.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\"Las<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
iPhone 15 Pro | 77mm equiv. lens | F2.8 | 1\/315 sec | ISO 25 | Las Vegas, USA
Photo: Mitchell Clark<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

It’s nothing like shooting with a dedicated camera, but if I need to take a picture of something quickly or something that’s relatively far away, I’ll reach for my phone every time…<\/p>\n

Or, rather, I’ll click the camera button, because it was probably already in my hand, acting as a GPS. I’m very good at getting lost in new places.<\/p>\n

Mykim Dang<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
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Overhead photo of Mykim Dang’s travel cameras and storage solution.
Photo: Mykim Dang<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

I shoot more video than photos and am pretty obsessed with traveling as light as possible (when possible). This is a holdover from years of operating as a one-person team dealing with endless connections in different countries with changing rules and regulations. A checked bag is something I avoid at all costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\"various<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Ricoh WG-80 | Sayulitas, Mexico
Photo: Mykim Dang<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Most of my video work is focused on the outdoors and water-based activities. I tend to keep a few different cameras in my rotation for this reason. My main setup consists of a GoPro (still using the Hero 12 Black), a Sony ZV-1F, a Ricoh WG-80 and some sort of disposable camera. Between these 4 pieces of gear, I find a really nice rotation of video capture for in the water, underwater and on land. I love the variety of source material I have to work with in post. They are all very compact, lightweight and fun to use.<\/p>\n

Abby Ferguson<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
\"two<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Photo: Abby Ferguson<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Even though I travel and adventure a fair amount, I’ve never bought a dedicated travel setup. Instead, I’ve used whatever gear I already have, even if it isn’t excessively travel-focused. For the past handful of years, that has meant taking my Sony a7 III on trips. Luckily, it offers a decent balance of size and quality.<\/p>\n

Lens selection is a bit more complicated, though. My one travel-specific purchase was a compact 35mm F1.8, which I picked up for a work trip to IFA Berlin. It has consistently been included in my travel kit since then, and is often my only lens. When I want a bit more versatility, I will throw in my 24-70mm. Or, for some select trips, I’ve swapped out the standard zoom for a 135mm prime lens. It’s definitely not the most practical (it’s far from light and compact) or versatile, but I like the challenge and I enjoy the photos I get with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\"skyscrapers<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Pentax K1000 | SMC Pentax-M 50mm F2 | Flic Film Aurora 400 | Honolulu, Hawai’i
Photo: Abby Ferguson<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Most recently, though, I’ve been more drawn to my Pentax K1000 film camera with a 50mm lens as my go-to travel camera. I was recently in Hawai’i for two weeks, and while I had my digital camera, I often only brought my film camera out with me. The size is right, and I love that it forces me to slow down and take in the scene more than I generally do with digital. It also doesn’t separate me from what’s going on as much, as I can’t look at the rear display to check my shots. I take the shot and then move on, returning to enjoying my trip.<\/p>\n

Matt Waller<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
\"a<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Photo: Matt Waller<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

My camera for a recent street photography trip to London was the OM System OM-5. This cute little guy could be effortlessly carried on long walking days and did absolutely everything a travel\/street camera could be asked to do. Its weather sealing shrugged off my one day of London drizzle (with the new weather-sealed 25mm f1.8 prime aboard), the hand-held hi-res 50MP mode came in handy to target the Shard and its superb IBIS made long exposures in the night tunnels of Southwark a breeze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\"london<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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OM System OM-5 | OM 25mm F1.8 II | F4.5 | 1\/2000 sec | ISO 200 | London
Photo: Matt Waller<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Yes, it’s stuck at face\/eye detect AF \u2013 which worked flawlessly on the streets. But its greatest power was the ability it gave me to carry a battery of superb little lenses: the 12mm F2 for cathedrals, 75mm F1.8 for occasional portraits, tiny Laowa 7.5mm F2 for skyscrapers \u2013 all in my coat pockets, no camera bag required.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Author:
\nThis article comes from DP Review<\/i> and can be read on the original site.<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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